Amp Recommendations


Hello everyone, posting this for a friend.  He's looking for a new amp.  The current setup is 

Audiolab 6000CDT (Transport)

MSB Link upgraded (DAC)

Conrad Johnson PV-11

Pair of Berning EA-230 (used as monoblocks)

Martin Logan Electromotion

Interconnects are Pangea Audio Premier XL

Choseal Speaker cables (replaced Kimber Kable 4 TC)

The Berning amp just doesn't have enough power to run the ML.  He's looking for  (preferably) a tube amp that is at least 100 wpc.  Also open to an integrated amp (also tubed).  New or used is fine and budget is $3 - 5K.  He started looking and is eyeing PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium HP,  Almaro A50125A, or VAC PA 100/100.  Thoughts/suggestions.

 

jbeckley42

@jbeckley42 as a 30+ year owner of M-L Electrostatic hybrids, ignore the naysayers about "home theater" speakers. They likely have never heard a quality set up pair of M-L hybrids (thank you Best Buy for underselling these with Yamaha receivers!). The stat panels need high current amps. I have heard fabulous sound with ARC tube on M-L hybrids. In my system I have had Aragon & Krell amps sound fantastic, but haven't owned tubes. I would also look into VTL, Cary & Quicksilver. Many M-L owners have had positive reviews with the Sanders amps as well. A newcomer that I have not yet heard paired with stats is Advance Paris. Not too expensive and seems have have a wide dealer network for new tube-based amps. Good luck.

Not surprisingly, I agree with several of the above to replace the MLs. 

BOL

@cooperdude6 Thanks, appreciate it!

@decooney they are very good amps and sound really good, but as the evening goes on and he (and we) get more into the music, the volume knob tends to move past the noon position, you can hear the small Bernings just struggling a little bit, it's not horrible, but after the big berning....it is just so sweet!

Thank you for all the suggestions, they are very helpful

To all those who say replace the speakers...have you heard them in  good system?  We started off with the Berning EA-230's and they sounded good.  Our friend was remodeling his house and lent the Berning EA-2100 and the ML came alive.  This combo sounds as good or better than Spica TC-50, Snell, B&W 683.  

 

To the naysayers...please explain how using two Berning EA-230 can make it sound good, but switching to one Berning EA-2100 makes them sound amazing?  

jbeckley42

I would at least read up on Sanders Sound Systems amplifiers, like the Magtech. They are not tube based, are solid state, but are designed specifically for electrostatic speakers.

They have a great reputation, and as an added bonus, are manufactured by CODA